Tuesday, September 20, 2005

The online conference is the only conference you don't have to leaveyour home for.

The best part is its FREE.

This year we are doing something different. We are hosting it on ablog. If you're a blogger you know how much fun they are. If you're never blogged. Its a piece of cake. Most of it is reading. However we will have panel discussions with guests on different topics. This is your chance to ask those millions of questions floating in your head. The panels will check the site through out the day and answer your questions.

There will be workshops for new writers and advance writers. Discussions on writing and the business of writing. There will be door prizes for those who participate in the panels and discussions.

We have a Reader’s Day with some fun panel discussions.

Did I mention its FREE. You can invite your friends. Tell them to stop by and check it out.

If you have writer friends who want to participate or donate a prize. Have them contact me - sormag@yahoo.com

They have up to Friday to get on the schedule. I will accept donations up to the week before the conference.

To keep the cost low, I'm asking those who donate to let me know what they want to donate and I'll send them the winners names after the conference.

SORMAG: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

JANICE SIMS: I'm a native Floridian who has been a published writer since 1996. I've never wanted to do anything else. My books range from traditional romances to Science-fiction romances, to romances with a touch of mystery and suspense.

SORMAG: Tell us about your current book?

SIMS: My current book is called Waiting for You and it's the first book in a trilogy I'm writing for BET/Arabesque. The Bryants of Glen Ellen, California are winemakers. Eric and Simone Bryant have three grown children, Erica, Jason and Franklyn. Each of the siblings will get their own book. Waiting for You is Erica's. Constant Craving, Franklyn's book, comes out next year.

SORMAG: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

SIMS: I would like them to be entertained. Period. I hope that the story will entice them so much that they will barely be able to put it down. Authors always like to hear that. LOL!

Ultimately, I want them to fall in love with the characters and look forward to the next book in the trilogy, Constant Craving.

SORMAG: What resources on the net have been helpful in your writing?

SIMS: I'm a Google girl! Whenever I need to find information on any given subject I go straight to Google, and I usually find an abundance of riches. Love it!

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR JANICE. POST IN THE COMMENTS BOX. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO LEAVE COMMENTS.

There is a writers' conference being held on September 16, 2005 in Roswell, GA. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is a serious writer. If you are a published writer this is an excellent opportunity to promote and sell your books.

Join some of the industry's leading professionals in a comprehensive seminar about how to turn your manuscript into a nationally or internationally distributed publication that SELLS!We will cover pre-press and formatting issues, printing 101, POD and eBook technology, publishing law 101, marketing and promotion, bookseller relations, and distribution. We will also present a bonus segment on copyright basics for writers.

I’ve been off line for a few days. I’ve prayed for a way that I can help the hurricane survivors. My church has adopted a shelter who will receive 2000 survivors this week. This weekend, we will be painting the rooms they will live in.

I also received a press release for a book drive. I can do this. I had planned on compiling a list of the books I have for the SORMAG community; however life has been crazy so I haven’t had a chance. I’m sure you won’t mind if I donate them instead. If one book can give someone a little comfort in these crazy times, then we’ve done something to help.

I hope you can share a few of your books for this cause. Think about how the books make you feel and you’ll want to share those feelings.

My prayers continue to go up for these survivors. Let’s bless someone with a book.

As African-American Publishers, we recognize the importance of reading for education and enjoyment. In the case of the Katrina Hurricane victims of New Orleans, we recognize the importance of reading for mental and emotional stability. Reading can help pass the time, perhaps help victims take their minds off their trouble, offer some small pleasure, and provide an opportunity to gain knowledge on various topics that can help them gain a new foothold on their lives.

We can collectively comfort their stay, promote love of Black literature, foster literacy among youth and let our people know the Black literary community at large supports them.

As Publisher and CEO of ACGI, we are urging all Independent African American publishers, book clubs, self published authors, literary services, libraries, authors, editors, and publishers at the major publishing houses, to join the donation drive to submit books to the Katrina Hurricane victims. If you wish to participate by donating books, please email us at Amberbk@aol.com or Heather Covington at Disilgold@aol.com .

We will update you as more designated receivers and transporters are involved.

If you live in Houston and would like to volunteer to receive books and transport them to the Astrodome, relief centers or homes where some victims are staying, please include with your email, your destination address and phone number.

Thank you for your support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and taking a stand at large with the African American literary community. http://www.amberbooks.com

You already use a web search engine, so why not switch to one that shares half of the profits with the American Red Cross? Now you can search the web while making a difference in your community. Allgive.com makes it simple and easy for you to search the web, save your favorite links, and comparison shop online.

Contributions also can be made at any BancorpSouth branch; or by sending a check or money order to BancorpSouth, c/o Rebuild the Coast Fund Inc., P.O. Box 789, Tupelo, MS. 38802 or Rebuild the Coast Fund, P.O. Box 4500, Tupelo, MS. 38803. Make checks payable to: Rebuild the Coast Fund Inc.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT YOU CAN DO SOS America via Romantic Times magazine

For suggestions on what donated items are needed, here is a small list supplied by relief organizations. This is not complete, many other items are also needed, particularly underwear for adults and children, summer clothing, TOWELS.

If so, let me know if you want to sponsor/adopt someone. Indicate the number you, your office, or school groups can take on.

Your contribution is deductible if the check (made out to SOS AMERICA, INC). Please sent to:

RT BOOKclub MagazineSOS America, Inc.55 Bergen St.Brooklyn, NY 11201

Nancy will send you a receipt. She can also take your credit card for donations.1 800 989 8816 (ext 12)

SEND ALL SUPPLIES TO ADDRESS BELOW.

Checks sent directly to Texas should be made out to Kathryn Falk. If you benefit from a tax deduction, make out check to SOS America,Inc., and send to Brooklyn address, Nancy wil make the transaction.

KATHRYN FALK10218 COUNTY ROAD 941BRR 1 BOX 134ALVIN TX 77511-6839

My cell:347 432 2714

If you want to help with underwear and children's supplies in Houston, you can send money or supplies to:JO CAROL JONES1122 GLENBAY COURTLAPORTE, TEXAS 77571SOSAmericaInc.org.

Fallen Angel Reviews is coordinating an effort to collect books for children and adults, including coloring books and crayons, to be donated to the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. If you would like to be involved and contribute either money or books, emailJaymi at jaymi@houston.rr.com or email JoAnn at joann@fallenangelreviews.com